The World Mission Rosary uses five colors to unite Catholics in prayer for the Church’s missionary work around the world.
Blessed Fulton J. Sheen designed the World Mission Rosary in 1951 to unite Catholics in prayer for the Church’s missionaries and the people they serve around the world. (Photo courtesy of worldmissionmke.org)
Blessed Fulton J. Sheen introduced the rosary on the Feb. 11, 1951, broadcast of “The Catholic Hour.” Bl. Sheen, who served as national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith from 1950 to 1966, designed it as a way for Catholics to pray for missionaries and the people they serve.
“We must pray, and not for ourselves, but for the world,” Bl. Sheen said during the broadcast.
Each decade represents a different region. Green recalls the forests and grasslands of Africa. Blue represents the ocean surrounding the Pacific islands. White symbolizes Europe, home of the Holy Father. Red recalls the fire of faith that brought missionaries to the Americas. Yellow represents the morning light of the East and Asia.
The World Mission Rosary is prayed in the same manner as a traditional rosary. As each mystery is announced, those praying are invited to remember the people, missionaries and needs of the region represented by that decade. Bl. Sheen described its completion as embracing all continents and all people in prayer.
The Society for the Propagation of the Faith is one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies. Founded in Lyon, France, in 1822 through the work of Blessed Pauline-Marie Jaricot, it promotes missionary prayer, awareness and financial support throughout the Catholic Church.
The society also coordinates support for dioceses and communities, including assistance for evangelization, formation and pastoral ministry. For Bl. Sheen, the World Mission Rosary joined that material support with the support of prayer.
